Peregrine Falcon
in Flight
Oct. 11, 2009
 



Several weeks ago I posted a page on peregrine falcons. At the time, in four years of hawk watching, I had seen/photographed a peregrine in the wild only once and, for the page, also used two photos of Isis, the peregrine in rehab at Centre Wildlife Care (and Isis takes a marvelous photograph).

This year, I've had three photographic encounters with peregrine falcons in flight by Jo Hayes (on Tussey Mountain, State College) - and my trying to photograph a flying peregrine is still quite a challenge: they move fast!

I had misjudged the exposure for the first of two peregrines that came by on October 5, but it is clearly identifiable.
 

Peregrine falcon (somewhat dark)
 
  The second peregrine of the day came into sight rather fast, but the falcon was also reasonably close, so I opted for an autofocus lens, which did a great job. I underexposed the sequence of two photos, but the peregrine's feather details are quite clear.
 
Peregrine falcon directly above
 
  What a wonderful wingspan!
 
Isis the peregrine falcon
 
  I cannot begin to explain the thrill of seeing a peregrine in flight - and to capture the falcon on a photo.

Photo note: I used a Pentax K200D, with the SMC 1000mm reflex lens for the first photo, and a Pentax K20D, with the SMC-DA 55-300mm lens, for the second two.




Earlier peregrine photos   |   My Pennsylvania bird list

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